The Andre Nel-trained Cape Eagle has won four races on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf before and proved he stays a mile-and-a-half last time out at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, so he should be a runner in the Gr 3 Tabgold Derby from pole position, despite officially being out at the weights (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Hollywoodbets Durban July entry Cape Eagle has class and stamina and can win the Gr 3 Tabgold Derby over 2400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and in the next race the Gr 2 Tabgold Oaks can be won by My Soul Mate.
Cape Eagle won the Highland Night Cup over this trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out in his first attempt at a staying trip and that he won it augurs well for his chances in this race, especially as he is drawn in pole. He might be 8,5kg out at the weights with the best weighted Zeus, but staying races can throw anomalies as it is a specialist trip that some are tried and tested at, while others are still growing into.
Future Pearl did the Stayers Triple Crown last year and Sean Tarry said yesterday, “He had a few niggles and we just went slowly with him at the start of the season and we have built him up. Unfortunately, he ended up in front last time, which is not the way he runs, so we can ignore his last run, but he’s making good progress. I’m quite happy with him.”
He is drawn three with Richard Fourie up and can bounce back, although he does have to carry 1kg more than the rest of the field.
One Way Traffic has been in much better form this season than last.
He only just failed in his penultimate start over this trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and is now 1,5kg better off with Cape Eagle for a head beating. He was a touch disappointing last time when unplaced in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over this course and distance, but he now has his third run after a layoff and can bounce back.
Aragosta is a former SA Derby winner and won a Listed race over 2500m this season at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, so should be in the shake up.
Without Question is the second best in at the weights, just 1kg out with Zeus. This comes three weeks before his engagement in the Hollywoodbets Durban July and could be a preparation race. Or is it a test to see whether he stays? The way he found nothing in last year’s July over 200m shorter is a bit of a concern.
Zeus had to give 12kg to the field in the Listed Gold Bowl over 3200m at Turffontein Standside last time, except for three horses, to whom he gave 4kg, 6kg and 8kg respectively. He can perhaps be forgiven for running below par. However, he had previously given lumps of weight away and stilll won, so his 14,25 length defeat is cause for concern. He is also reportedly not a straight forward customer and this will be the fisrt time he has traveled to another province. At his best he will be a big runner.
Home Of The Brave has often caught the eye and comes off a win over this trip. He is 13,5kg out with Zeus, but Tyrone Zackey’s charges can never be ignored in feature races and this one is a dark horse.
Shoot The Rapids was not disgraced in either the SA Derby or the Lonsdale, but does have a wide draw.
Policy Of Truth and Future Saint both look outgunned.
The Hollywoodbets Durban July entries in the field are Cape Eagle, Future Pearl, Aragosta and Without Question.
The selection is Cape Eagle to beat Future Pearl with One Way Traffic, Aragosta and Without Question next best.
The Gr 2 Tabgold Oaks looks to be at the mercy of My Soul Mate, who was a 1,75 length second in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Bridget Oppenheimer SA Oaks and has subsequently proved that to be no fluke by finishing a close second in the Gr 2 Igugu Stakes over 2000m and a 1,80 length fifth in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000.
Saartjie will be the danger. She was beaten 3,90 lengths in the Woolavington but before that won the Listed KRA East Coast Cup over 2000m despite carrying 61.5kg. She beat Hold My Hand by 3,15 lengths in that race at level weights and the latter went on to finish a narrow second in the Woolavington, so perhaps Saartjie did not enjoy the soft going in the latter race.
Future Girl was a narrow second in the East Coast Cup, when receiving 3kg, and beat Saartjie in the Woolavington at level weights.
Neither Saartjie nor Future Girl have attempted a staying trip before, but being by Dynasty and his son Futura respectively gives them chances of seeing it out.
Red Maple ran disappointingly in the Gold Bowl and the Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m, but has good form over this trip.
Lady Of Power is the third highest rated horse in the race and finished third in last year’s SA Oaks, so is an interesting runner, although she is not a reliable sort.
The selection is My Soul Mate to beat Saartjie, with Future Girl, Red Maple and Lady Of Power next best.
